Donald Trump Jr. Visits Greenland Amid Controversy Over U.S. Interest in the Territory
Donald Trump Jr., son of President-elect Donald Trump, visited Greenland on Tuesday, weeks after his father reignited discussions about the United States potentially acquiring the autonomous Danish territory. Greenland’s government confirmed the visit but stressed it was private.
Mininnguaq Kleist, Greenland’s permanent secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told CBS News, “The visit of Donald Trump Jr. is private and that is being respected by Naalakkersuisut — the Government of Greenland. Therefore, there will also not be reactions to the visit. Our country is open for visits, and visitors are welcome in our beautiful country.”
Reports suggest that Trump Jr.’s visit, which lasted only one day, included plans to shoot content for a podcast. According to Reuters, he arrived in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, aboard the “Trump Force One” plane.
The visit comes on the heels of President-elect Trump’s comments on social media, where he suggested the people of Greenland were supportive of his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement. In a post on Monday, Trump wrote, “I’m hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA.’
My son, Don Jr., and various representatives, will be traveling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights. Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
Greenland, home to a population of roughly 57,000, is a fully autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Despite its vast natural resources, including oil, natural gas, and minerals, its economy relies heavily on subsidies from Denmark and the fishing industry.
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President-elect Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland mirrors his first-term ambitions, which were swiftly dismissed by Danish authorities. Two weeks ago, Trump described Greenland as an “absolute necessity” for U.S. national security and global freedom in another social media post.
Greenland’s government and officials have repeatedly rebuffed Trump’s assertions. Shortly before Christmas, Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede declared, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale.”
Egede, in his New Year’s speech, advocated for Greenland’s independence from Denmark, urging the nation to shed “the shackles of colonialism” and take greater control of its future. “It is about time that we take a step and shape our future, also about who we will cooperate closely with, and who our trading partners will be,” Egede said.
Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic lawmaker in Denmark’s parliament, dismissed Trump’s remarks, telling Reuters, “I don’t want to be a pawn in Trump’s hot dreams of expanding his empire to include our country.”
The renewed focus on Greenland highlights the complexities of U.S. interests in the Arctic region and the challenges of balancing local sovereignty with global strategic ambitions.
